Owl Swimmers Look to Extend Streak Vs. PSU

KEENE, N.H. 1/15/08 - Which Keene State athletic team has had the most success against rival Plymouth State University since the two programs joined the Little East Conference?
 

Without making a splash, the answer is the women's swimming team. 
 

Since moving to Division III and the LEC in the 1997-98 season, the Owl women have dunked the Panthers in all 10 dual meets, including last season when they won 176-107, capturing 15 of 16 events.
 

Keene State will be looking to it's extend its pool mastery over their rivals at PSU Natatorium on Wednesday.
 

Like their counterparts in other sports, the Owl swimmers look forward to their yearly aquatic meetings with the Panthers and lapping their rivals.  "We take every meet seriously, but Plymouth is our rival, so we're going to work very hard to get the win," said senior captain Liesel Dolce.
 

It's big for us," said junior Katie Allenson, a two-sport athlete, who also battles the Panthers in softball.  "Everyone at Keene State loves to beat Plymouth."
 

Prior to joining the LEC, Plymouth State had the upper hand in the rivalry winning five straight meets.  Since pulling out a close 154-146 victory in 1998, the Owls have won the last nine encounters by an average of 47 points.
 

Only five LEC schools have women's swim programs.  The Owls face PSU and Eastern Conn. in yearly dual meets and go up against Western Conn. and UMass-Dartmouth at the LEC championships.  KSC has won five of the seven LEC titles, including this season when they tallied a record 605 points.
 

Asked why the program has prospered of late, Owls swimmers point to second-year coach Dr. Jack Fabian.  "Jack has a lot to do with it," said senior Kelly Yankowski.  "We have dedicated swimmers who want to come in everyday and work hard."
 

"Jack has taken the team to a new level," said Allenson.  "He has goals and aspirations that we all believe.  "Only the strong survive on this team, so it's really a competitive environment."
 

Adding a strong recruiting class to an already solid line-up, Fabian, in turns, credits the work ethic of his team.  "Everyone is swimming at a very high level," he said.  "Anything is possible when the athletes are putting in the work like that."
 

Getting set for their first competition since returning from their week long training trip to Florida, the undefeated Owls (4-0) should have little trouble against the Panthers who enter the meet with a 1-4 record. In addition to standout sophomores Alea Paddock (Newbury, N.H.) and Kristine Trutor (Holden, Mass.), who have combined to set eight Owl records, KSC has been bolstered by the arrival of Rachel Mondello (Stoneham, Mass.) and Jackie Foster (Bedford, N.H.), a transfer from UConn., who earlier set a new mark in the 1,650 freestyle.
 

No stranger to the KSC/PSU rivalry, Al Switzer in his 17th season directing the Panther program.  "Al is a formidable coach," said Fabian.  "It's always interesting to see what he puts together for a meet."
 

There's no real home pool advantage. Except for the placement of the viewing areas, both KSC and PSC facilities are surprisingly alike. 
 

"It's all water," said Fabian.
 

But don't tell that to the swimmers and divers who will be competing on Wednesday.   Expect the noise on the deck to be a little louder and the temperature in the pool to go up a few degrees.  After all, it's Keene State vs. Plymouth State.